I recently joined the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators and my first few meetings have me thinking about my favorite bedtime books. I have a quite a few. In fact many of my favorite bedtime books have no words! But instead of making a list of which books I love, I am actually… Read more »
Inspiration
Helpful Resources for Freelance Writing
Do you belong to a community that improves your freelance writing? I’ve found that freelance writers tend to be very supportive of each other. They don’t mind offering help to other writers and sharing effective resources. There are several communities that I rely on for help, from in person meetings right here in my neighborhood… Read more »
Trying New Foods
Not everyone likes trying new foods. It’s funny that while my husband and I will be adventurous about our eating out and about and restaurants, we often exchange nervous looks when our CSA serves up a vegetable that neither of us are used to using. Enter the red cabbage. It’s actually quite beautiful when you… Read more »
Homework for Writers: Writer’s Digest January 2011
The next assignment in my Homework for Writers series! Writer’s Digest January 2011 Obviously looking to meet the New Year’s resolution crowd, this issue is all about writing and outlining a novel. – Differentiating between idea theft and simultaneous discovery. This isn’t something I am worried about. This issue lists three ways to tell the… Read more »
How Can We Raise Healthy Kids if Parents are the Problem?
I attended a fantastic meeting yesterday discussing ways to support healthy kids hosted by Let’s Move Pittsburgh. Any event at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens puts me in a good mood, but this topic is dear to my heart. I not a perfect parent but I do value resources that help me and my community… Read more »
Three ways to thank teachers (or anyone) on National Teacher Day
Tomorrow is National Teacher Day – time to thank teachers! My oldest is in second grade and he wanted to write a real thank you note. “But what should I say? I can’t just write thanks,” he panicked. So I told him a thank you note is easy to write if you keep three things… Read more »
Will Wine Help? For Writers, Cooks and Moms
A toast to Moms (and dads)! Something funny today! I offer this light-hearted look at some of the tasks that require both creativity and inspiration – and are made easier by an excellent glass of wine! I’m not talking about drinking to get drunk here. I’m talking about stimulating the parts of our brain… Read more »
Piano Practice
One of my children loves piano practice. My middle child often whines when I mention it. But when my middle child has played a particular song very well, he relishes the feeling of success. To help my children practice piano more, and get that great feeling, I often use behavior charts to encourage them to… Read more »
Choosing the Right Format (For Picky Eaters!)
There are lots of ways to help picky eaters try new foods. One trick is to introduce food in a different format. My youngest thinks he likes yogurt but he never eats it out of the container. He insists I buy it, but when I serve it in the yogurt cup he takes one bite… Read more »
Homework for Writers
There are many excellent books, blogs and conferences available to writers. One resource I find particularly helpful, especially in my fiction writing, is Writer’s Digest magazine. My writing partner recently gave me a hefty stack of back issues bulging with funny articles, useful tips and excellent revision guidance, not to mention the lists of agents… Read more »